Overview

Park City Ridge forms a headwall of Millcreek and, partly, Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Tri-Canyon Area. The ridge is rounded, in the general mold of the more Northern parts of the Wasatch range, and only a few high points on the ridge exceed 10,000 ft. None-the-less, Park City Ridge is a formidable mountain range, spanning a dozen miles between Parely's Summit and Guardsman Pass, and containing 3 of Salt Lake County's 32 highest (10,000+) summits.

In the summer, this area serves as a playground for mountainbikers, trailrunners and hikers. However, in the winter, snowboarders and skiers flock from all around to sample some of the best snow on know to man.

At northern end of the ridge, NE of Murdock Peak, lies the the Utah Olympic Park. During the 2002 Winter Olympics it served as the venue for Nordic Jumping events and sliding events including Bobsled, Skeleton, and Luge. It still serves an active training center year round for Olympic and development level athletes. Other facilities in addition to the Nordic Jumps and Bobsled Track located on site include a 2002 Winter Olympics Museum, Ski Museum, summer aerial training splash pool, ziplines, and mountain coaster. Click HERE for more information about the Olympic Park

The prominent high points of the ridge, North to South, are Murdock Peak Ninety-Nine Ninety, home to the Canyons' ski lift of the same name, Silver Hill, Scott Hill (the highpoint of the ridge), and, further South across the deep chasm of Scott Pass, Tri-County Peak (Jupiter Peak), Jupiter Hill and Park Mountain.

Some beautiful fall colors in Willow Fork. This picture was taken from the Great Western Trail on the Park City Ridge

Glenwild Sunset. Photo Credit 46and2

Mountains

The peaks along this ridge, unlike many other Wasatch peaks, are not very rugged. Also, the majority of the peaks along this ridge have lifts either going directly to the top, or pretty close the top. Also, ski resort roads cut through the ridge making access easy in the summer and fall months.

Access

Guardsmen Pass Road (Closed)

All of the resorts maintain trails, however, outside of the resort, the ridgeline serves as an easy enough trail to follow. However, the Great Western Trail (GWT) traverses almost the entire length of the ridge, and Mid-Mountain Trail (MMT crosses the bowls of its East side. GWT also doubles as the route of Wasatch 100 ultramarathon between Red Lovers a.k.a. Desolation Pass and Sleepy Hollow Jct (miles 67.6 thru 72.9).

Hiking in the summer at these resorts is free. This makes it easy to access the ridge line by using the maintained resort trails . However, see details about this at their websites.

Red Tape

PCMR Warning Signs

Lots of assorted restrictions in this hodgepodge of private and public lands. Even a few segments of the ridge are private land. The areas where landowners were actually known to go after non-motorized tresspassers are lower White Pine and the mouth of Thaynes. It is not uncommon to hear stories about the Sherrif's waiting for trespassers at the base of these 2 draniges.

Lambs and BCC are watershed areas, no non-resident dogs allowed.

Upper Millcreek is off-limits to mountain bikers on odd days. Dogs are allowed every day in Millcreek Canyon, and on odd days dogs may be off leash. Fee is required for Millcreek Road access ($2.25 dayly or an annual pass).

Toll Canyon is a private conservation area.

Also, in the winter Guardsman Pass will not be plowed along with other roads used to access Park City Ridge.

During the winter months, the resorts along the ridge will be open so access for hiking is extemely limited. A lift pass is neccesary to hike the resort areas in the winter. At Park City Mountain Resort it is illegal to enter their property through gaurdsmans pass. It is condidered theft of services, trespassing and reckless endagerment. However, if you go when the resorts winter season is closed; access is unlimited. Typically they close around the end of April.

Camping

The Spruces and Jordan Pines CGs are next to one another in BCC. Otherwise camping is allowed on public land at a set distance off roads and streams. In winter, FS Yurt operates at Big Water TH in Millcreek.

Getting There

Nothern fringes of Murdock Peak can be accessed from Lambs and Toll Canyons. Both trails converge at the Northern end of the meadows of the avalanche cuts of Murdock peak, from where the trail continues through the conifers to the NE shoulder of the peak.

Millcreek Milepost 3

South of Murdock Peak, the West slopes of the ridge are accessible from Upper Millcreek (the creek trail and GWT join at the lower end of Upper Millcreek meadows, from where GWT takes the North Fork, Nordic Park Trail heads up the Middle Fork, and a fainter trail turns sharply right into the South Fork, towards Little Water bowl. The best access on the East side could be by MMT off Bear Hollow Dr in Sun Peak ( N 40° 41.96 W 111° 33.99)

White Pine Lake

SW side of 9,990, Silver Hill, and Scott Hill is served by Mill D (Desolation Lake branch), Beartrap, and Willows trailheads in BCC. You can get to the NE side through The Colony perhaps, but the legal way to get there is through the White Pine Lake area, just off the junction of MMT and Iron Mountain trail (off Iron Mountain Court, N 40° 40.157 W 111° 31.740). From White Pine Lake, an old mining roads ascends Pinecone Ridge overlooking Thaynes Cyn).

Backcountry Skiing

The Park City Ridge is one of the best backcountry locations in the Wasatch Range. With steep bowls, narrow chutes, wide open trees and gentle bunny hills, this ridge has a little bit of everything a backcountry skier could want. Avalanches and cornices are more frequent on the Park City side of the ridge so use caution while touring in this area. The Big Cottonwood Canyon side of the ridge (Mill F Fork, Willow Fork, Beartrap Fork, and Mill D North) is usually the safer side of the ridge. This is because of the mostly gentle nature and southerly exposure of this side. This section will describe some of the more common ski descents that the Park City Ridge has to offer.

Troy skiing Will's Hill (Big Cottonwood Canyon side)

Troy skiing South Monitor (Park City side)

THE BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON SIDE

Mill F Fork- Home of Scott Hill and the famous USA Bowl, Mill F is the smallest and tallest of all the Big Cottonwood Canyon Forks that span across the Park City Ridge. To access this fork, park your car at the upper Solitude lot. From here cross the highway and head strait up till you reach the ridge. There are some homes at the bottom so please respect their land by giving them enough space.

Ron splitboarding USA Bowl at the end of the day

Willow Fork- One of the best and most popular forks is Willow Fork. Home of Will's Hill and Willow Hights this area is frequented by skiers and snowshoers. There are 2 ways to access this fork. One is to park just above Silver Fork Lodge and the other is from the upper Solitude lot. If starting from Solitude, cross the highway and follow the summer road till a sharp bend. From here head across (down canyon) and slightly up hill. At one point you will have the option to head up a ridge or across the woods. Either one will get you to the top. Carefull, areas along the ridge route are known to slide time to time so use caution. For a more detailed description of Willow Fork check out this link Willow Fork

Troy skiing Wills Hill

A human triggered avalanche on the ridge route

Me skiing North Willow

A large avalanche on North Willow

Mill D North- This is one of the bigger Forks on the Park City Ridge. Desolation lake, Little Water Peak and Reynolds Peak are the bigger names in Mill D North. Due to the vast amounts of terrain this drainage is quite popular with skiers, snowboarders (from The Canyons) as well as snowshoers.

An avalanche on Short Swing in Mill D North

An avalanche on "The Desolation Fin" aka Razorback Ridge in Mill D North

Troy skiing the safer section of Short Swing

Troy skinning up Mill D North

Beartrap Fork- This fork used to be the home of bears way back when. Now days it is the home of backcountry skiers in the winter months. With large open slopes and beautiful tree skiing oppertunities Beartrap is one of the better forks for skiing during periods of high avalanche danger.

Troy skiing Beartrap Fork

Troy skiing Beartrap Fork

Troy skiing upper Beartrap Fork Feburary 2012

Troy skiing Beartrap Fork

THE PARK CITY SIDE

South Monitor- Just behind the top of Willow Fork and Mill F Fork is South Monitor. This steep north facing slope has several different release zones and avalanches out big every year. Once you have skied it, there are several ways to gain the Park City Ridge again. The most common is the slope on the observers right. Be sure that conditions are absolutly stable when attempting this route. This avalanche path is known for tree destroying avalanches that run to the ground.

Troy skiing South Monitor

Ron getting ready for another lap on South Monitor

West Monitor- Just down ridge of South Monitor is West Monitor. This east facing slope is a known climax avalancher on the Park City Ridge. Every year several large avalanches destroy trees and tear up the ground to the dirt. Every now and then the avalanches on this path leave debrie piles in excess of 30 feet deep! This run is also known for huge cornices so give the ridge some extra room.

Troy skiing West Monitor in BLOWER conditions

West Monitor with just our tracks on it

Troy skiing the lower slopes of West Monitor in BLOWER conditions

Troy skiing West Monitor

White Pine Canyon- Home of No Name Bowl, Radar Love Bowl and Limelight, this canyon is considered private property at the bottom. You are allowed to ski the upper sections, but the home owners at the bottom do call the sherrifs office when they catch people trespassing. The only peak Scott Hill which is at the top of the canyon. Several large destructive avalanches occur here every year (especailly in Radar Love Bowl) so use caution while touring in White Pine Canyon.

Ron splitboarding No Name Bowl

Tracks on No Name Bowl

Dutch Draw- This large and steep open face is a known killer on the Park City Ridge. Due to its close proximity to The Canyons Ski area, it is very popular with "slackcountry skiers". Several close calls with avalanches occur here every year and several skiers have lost their lives to monster avalanches in the past. Please use caution when charging this very dangerous slope. Here is a link from the Utah Avalanche Center on the accident that occured on Dutch Draw in 2005. DUTCH DRAW ACCIDENT

Murdock Peak- Most of this peak is now a part of The Canyons Ski Area. Access to this peak is usually from Mill D North and it makes for one long day. Most people who tour in this area are "slackcountry skiers" who duck The Canyons boundry rope illegally.

The most common route to the top of Murdock Peak

The gentle side of Murdock Peak. Photo Credit MOCKBA

Square Top- Not a part of The Canyons Ski area (yet) but very close to Peak 9,990 is Square Top. This run was featured in a Warren Miller film a few years back and is a very popular with "slackcountry skiers". There have been avalanche fatalities here in the past so be sure that conditions are absolutly stable.

Mountain Lakes

Shadow Lake- At the base of Jupiter Peak is a small lake known as Shadow Lake. Access to this area is easiest from Gaurdsmans Pass. Although it is located in an alpine setting the fact that Park City Mountain Resort's Jupiter Chairlift runs right next to it kinda detracts from the alpine scenery. Dogs are allowed here, even from Gaurdsmans Pass. Just make sure your dog does not get out of the car in Big Cottonwood Canyon...you could recieve a hefty ticket.

Shadow Lake

Willow Lake- Popular with summer as well as winter hikers this is an excellent short hike to lake. Only .75 of a mile from the Big Cottonwood Highway the trailhead for this lake can be found just before Solitude. When bad weather or non-hikers get in your plans this can make a bad day....a good day. This lake is also very popular with the moose of the Wasatch Range. Come fall the willow fork drainage is full of aspen trees...which in turn makes some beautiful fall colors.

Willow Lake from the Park City Ridge

Some fall colors from the trail that leads to Willow Lake

Desolation Lake- Just behind Peak 9990 there is a well known lake named Desolation Lake. This lake serves as the major land mark for the only trail that leads back into Big Cottonwood Canyon. This makes this area VERY popular with summer and winter travelers, even at night. The most scenic time of year at this lake is fall. The Aspen trees here are on several different aspects...which means that there are several weeks every year where you can find some beautiful colors.

A perfect reflection off of Desolation Lake

Some fall colors near Desolation Lake

Desolation Lake reflection

Desolation Lake from the Park City Ridge

More to come.......

History and FAQ's

Old Truck

Overview

The area has also been used for grazing, and the meadows of Upper Millcreek (todays Nordic Park) were a site of the Tri-Canyon area's last sheep grazing permit, through 1960s. Today's' dog owners access to Millcreek is largely a legacy of this grazing permit, with the rest of the nearby drainage's all under watershed restrictions.

Watershed and recreation are still the two prime, and often competing, uses of the area. In the recent years, Salt Lake City blocked development of Willow Lake drainage on the Big Cottonwood side of the ridge, turning the area to conservation, while on the Park City side, the Canyons resort extended its lifts and condo developments to within hundreds yards of the ridgeline.

Park City History

In 1868, prospecting Army soldiers discovered rich silver veins in the hills above what would later become Park City. George Snyder, a Mormon polygamist, built a boarding house with his third wife Rhoda to profit from the mining trade. On the Fourth of July, 1872, early miners of Park City raised American flag over the Snyder's log house. "We shall call this place Parley's Park City," George Snyder declared. Very soon the "Parley" (named for early settler Parley Pratt) was dropped and a new mining boom town had its name. In 1898, the "Great Fire destroyed much of the city. Shortly after, the city was rebuilt. One of the reasons it was rebuilt so fast was because this area was booming with silver mines. After this, the town grew rapidly and became an official city, with a bank and many stores that were very profitable. I

It wasn't until the 1920's when people realized that Park City had more to offer then silver. Skiing began around that time and as one can see, it later became better then silver to Park City.

Mining History

After completion of the railroad to Promontory in 1869, large-scale mining became possible. But with this success came and with large-scale mining came the problem of housing the miners. The Snyder (Owned by George Snyder)sawmill, which had supplied much of the lumber to build Salt Lake City, had a bonanza of its own. The lush forests the grew around the area provided very useful in the making of boarding houses for miners. Because of the long and often harsh winters in Park City, the miners and residents had to be cooped up for long periods of time. Because of this, many took up their spare time in writing poems, journals or making poems.

The area has obvivously seen much silver mining activity since 1850s, and served as a gateway to Brighton (across Scott Pass) and Alta mining areas, before the roads through the Cottonwood Canyons were improved. Guardsman Pass road tok place of the older Scott Pass road in the 1960s, it was constructed as a National Guard training project, if you could believe that.

In the mining era, the evegreens were logged and the area was stripped clean of timber, but in 1910s and 1920s, a huge nursery at what is the Spruces CG area today planted millions of seedlings and restored much of the forest in the area.